Brussels: The Belgium Regional U-Tsang Association organised a two-day Shoton Festival in the coastal city of Ostend, Belgium, from 18 to 19 July 2026. The event was attended by Thinley Wangdue, Secretary of the Office of Tibet, Brussels, as the chief guest, along with representatives of various organisations, former political prisoners, representative of U-Tsang associations in Belgium, and members of the wider Tibetan community.

The programme began with a welcome for the guests, followed by the enthronement of a portrait of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The chief guest and the Chairperson of the Belgium Regional U-Tsang Association offered a mandala and the three auspicious representations of the Buddha’s body, speech, and mind before the portrait. The gathering subsequently stood to sing the Tibetan national anthem.

The ceremony continued with a minute of silence in memory of Martyr Lobga Rangzen, who recently self-immolated outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. This was followed by recitation of The King of Aspiration Prayers (Zangchö Mönlam) and mani prayers dedicated to him. A cake-cutting ceremony was then held by the chief guest to commemorate the 91st birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Chairperson Samrab Thupten of the Belgium Regional U-Tsang Association delivered a welcome address and introduced the association’s activities and programmes. Subsequesntly, the chief guest of the event, Secretary Thinley Wangdue, extended Shoton Festival greetings to the Tibetan community. He commended the Belgium Regional U-Tsang Association for preserving and promoting this important traditional festival and for introducing it to younger generations. He encouraged continued public support and participation to ensure that Tibetan cultural traditions are passed on to future generations.

Speaking on the situation inside Tibet, he said the Chinese government is pursuing a systematic policy of assimilating Tibetans by targeting Tibetan religion, culture, and language, with the aim of transforming Tibet into a Chinese province. He further noted that since 1 July 2026, following the implementation of China’s Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, increasing pressure has been placed not only on Tibetans inside Tibet but also on Tibetans living in exile through both direct and indirect means.

He appealed to Tibetans living in free countries to avoid division, particularly on social media, and instead remain united under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He called upon Tibetans to work together in solidarity to oppose China’s policies and continue striving for justice and truth for Tibet. Recalling the final appeal of Martyr Lobga Rangzen, he urged Tibetans to remain united and steadfast in their common cause.

The programme also featured a brief history on Shoton Festival by Culture Officer Lobsang Dawa. Cultural performances, including songs presented by a performing group and volunteer artists, followed the presentation. The first day’s programme concluded with a variety of traditional games and sports, while the celebrations continued following day.